Matthew 7:6 Meaning and Explanation
“Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Sacred things are to be offered with discernment, not forced upon those who only despise and trample them.
What Does Matthew 7:6 Mean?
Having warned against harsh judgment, Jesus now guards against the opposite error, an undiscerning naivete. Using images his hearers knew, the temple meat reserved as holy and a string of costly pearls, He shows that wisdom must guide how we share what is sacred.
To press the gospel's treasures on hearts that only mock and turn to attack is neither love nor faithfulness. Jesus teaches a holy discernment: to honor what is precious by offering it wisely, reading the moment, and entrusting the outcome to God. We are to be both gentle and clear-eyed, generous yet not reckless with what is holy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 7:6
What does Matthew 7:6 mean?
Sacred things are to be offered with discernment, not forced upon those who only despise and trample them.